Self-closing liquid dispenser

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a dispenser for a liquid container wherein the dispenser includes a spout, and a container and a collapsible tube. The tube interconnects the container and the spout and includes spring means as an integral part thereof. The spring means automatically closes the spout which causes the tube to collapse and prevents the flow of liquid through the tube.

States Penney et all,

[ 1 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] SElLlF-QLUSING lLlQlUlD DISPENSER [72] Inventors: John Petrocy, 2 Metuchen Ave., Woodbridge, NJ. 07095; Alfred DeStefano, 48 Kenwood Drive, Woodcliff Lake, NJ. 07675 [22] Filed: Feb.9, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 9,888

[52} US. Cl ..222/517, 222/528 [51] lint. Cl t ..lB67d 3/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..222/74,213,505,5l3,517,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,786,606 3/1957 Dushek et at. ..222/505 X 2,831,620 4/1958 Schlicksupp ..222/517 3,337,098 8/1967 Johns ..222/505 2,872,078 2/1959 Kennedy 1. 222/505 X 3,195,788 7/1965 Wilson... ...222/5l7 X 3,448,897 6/1969 Sterling ..222/505 X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Charles H. Recht [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a dispenser for a liquid container wherein the dispenser includes a spout, and a container and a collapsible tube. The tube interconnects the container and the spout and includes spring means as an integral part thereof. The spring means automatically closes the spout which causes the tube to collapse and prevents the flow of liquid through the tube.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENYED JANZS I972 ALFRED DE STEFA INVENTORS: JOHN/1' PETROCV 6L4 55 A TTOR/VE V SHEH 2 OF 3 PATENTEUJAN251912 w m 6R ALFRED 0E STEFANO JOHN A psmocr Q! INVENTORSI ATTORNEY PATENTEDamzsnarz 8537A 18 SHEEI 30F 3 FIG. 4

FIG. 5

ALFRED DE STEFANO WVENTORS' JOHN ,4. PETROCY By di /Z26 A T TORNE V SELF-CLOSING LIQUID DISPENSER This invention relates to a dispenser for a liquid container and more particularly, to a self-closing dispenser for dispensing liquid from a container wherein the dispenser includes a spout with a collapsible tube. The tube includes spring means as an integral part of the tube and the spring means is adapted to automatically close the dispenser after its use.

Various types of self-closing, collapsible tube dispensers are known in the prior art. Normally, a liquid container has a dispenser attached to it wherein the dispenser includes a spout with an interior collapsible tube. The spout is movable with respect to the container and movement of the spout opens and closes the dispenser. The dispenser is made self-closing by means of auxiliary spring devices and leakage is controlled by designing the dispenser spout so that when the latter is in the closed position, the spout end is higher than the level of the liquid in the dispenser.

The invention is embodied with a liquid dispenser that includes a collapsible tube having spring means as an integral part of the tube. The spring means automatically urges the dispenser to the closed position after it has been used.

In addition, the dispenser is designed to crimp or fold the collapsible tube when the spout is in the closed position to prevent flow of liquid through the spout. Thus, leakage of the liquid prevented without the necessity of raising the end of the spout above the level of the liquid in the container.

The invention will be better understood, its features, objects and advantages more readily apparent from a study of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a liquid container with a dispenser according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container and dispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan section view of the container and dispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the dispenser showing the dispenser in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the dispenser showing the dispenser in the open position, and;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a plurality of the containers and dispensers shown in FIG. 1.

The device shown in the various figures is a preferred embodiment of the invention and comprises a container 10, a top or lid 16 and a dispenser unit 11. The container 10 is divided into compartments l2 and 13 by a divider l4 and holds a liquid L. The compartments l2 and I3 communicate with each other through holes 15 in the divider 14.

The container 10 is shaped according to its designed use. In the various figures, the container I0 is rectangular in shape to fit efficiently in a refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of units can be put together in a refrigerator module to dispense various liquids such as milk,juice and ice water.

Each container 10 can be filled by removing the lid 16 and pouring the liquid L into either compartment 112 or 13. As the container 10 is filled, the liquid L will flow between the com partments l2 and 13 through the holes 15 in the divider 14. The divider I4 is a damper and its purpose is to prevent the liquid L from spilling over the ends of the container 10 when the container 10 is moved about or when the refrigerator door is opened and closed. The divider l4 restricts liquid flow from one compartment to the other but does not prevent liquid flow between the compartments.

A nozzle or opening 17 and an anchor 18 are located on the front of the container I0. The nozzle 17 provides an opening into the front and bottom of compartment 12. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the nozzle 17 will allow any liquid L in compartment 12 to run out of the compartment I2 and into the dispensing unit 11.

The dispensing unit 11 is mounted upon two axles 21 which are located between two extensions 19 and 20 of the container It). The unit Ill includes a pouring spout 22 and a flexible, collapsible tube 23 of a predetermined length. The tube 23 interconnects the nozzle ll7 and the spout 22 and provides a continuous passage for the liquid L from the compartment I2 to the spout 22.

The spout 22 has a depressor portion 24 and two side panels 25. A post 26 extends between the two panels 25 so that the spout 22 is pivotally mounted with respect to the container 10.

The tube 23 has a collar 27 on the spout end. A spring loop 28 extends from the collar 27, over the post 26 and is attached to the anchor 18. The tube 23, collar 27 and loop 28 are one integral part and are all made from the same piece ofmaterial. The material is a soft, pliable material such as rubber. neoprene or similar hygienic materials.

FIG. 4 shows the device in a closed position, that is with the spout 22 in a raised position. The top of the spout 22 rests against a stop 29 on the container 10. The stop 29 provides a limit to the raising of the spout 22.

In the raised position, the tube 23 is of sufficient length to cause it to collapse in a portion near the collar 27. The collapsed portion of the tube 23 crimps the tube 23 shut and positively prevents flow of the liquid L through the spout 22. Thus, liquid flow will be prevented regardless of the position of the end of the spout 22 with respect to the liquid level in the container 10. In other words, it is not necessary for the container 10 to be designed so that the tip of the spout 22 is above the level of the liquid L when the spout is in the raised position. In fact, the level of the liquid L can be higher than the tip of the spout 22, but because of the collapsed portion of the tube 23, no liquid flow occurs.

The collapsed action of the tube 23 is obtained by selection of the length of the tube 23 and by the angle made by the spout 22 with respect to the nozzle 117 when the spout 22 is raised. The length of the tube 23 is chosen to be just slightly longer than the distance between the: nozzle 17 and the near end of the spout 22 when the spout 22 is in the open position shown in FIG. 5. When the spout 22 is raised, the excess length of the tube 23, coupled with the angle made by the spout 22 with respect to the nozzle 17, causes the tube 23 to collapse and crimp closed.

A cover plate 30 is attached to the spout 22. The place 30 is made of a flexible material and extends toward the container 10, over the tube 23 and terminates near the stop 29. The plate 30 prevents foreign matter and. dirt from getting down into the dispenser unit 11 and on the tube 23. It also adds to the appearance of the invention by covering up the working parts.

The device is operated by applying downward pressure on the portion 24 and moving the spout 22 from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5. The composite action is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. When the spout 22 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, the tube 23 is no longer collapsed and the liquid L can flow freely from the inside of the container 10 through the tube 23 and spout 22 into the glass G shown in FIG. 1.

When the device is in the closed position of FIG. 4, the post 26 is located approximately on an imaginary line between the axles 21 and the anchor 18. As previously mentioned, the loop 28 extends over the part 26. As the unit II is rotated to the open position (FIG. 5) the post 26 moves upward and substantially away from the imaginary line between the axles 21 and the anchor 18, thus causing the loop 28 to be stretched. The stretching of the loop 28 exerts a downward force on the post 26 urging the spout 22 upward toward the closed position, When pressure is relaxed on the portion 24, the tension in the loop 28 urges the spout 22 into the closed position. When the unit is in the closed position, the tension in the loop 28 is relaxed.

In the event that the tube 23 should wear out or the loop 28 break, the tube 23 can be replaced by attaching a new tube 23 between the spout 22 and the nozzle 17 and by placing the loop 28 of the new tube 23 over the post 26 and hooking it to the anchor 18. An efficient, simple repairable device is obtained by practice of the invention. The device has been described and illustrated in terms ofa preferred embodiment. It is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. These changes and modifications are within the skill of the art and include within the scope and spirit of this specification and the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A dispenser for a liquid comprising a container and dispenser means, said means including an outlet, and a resilient tube member, said tube member comprising a hollow conduit portion integrally formed with a spring portion extending from one end of the conduit portion, said conduit portion interconnecting said container and said outlet and being a continuous passage for liquid from said container to said outlet, said outlet operably connected to said container and movable from a closed position to an open position, said spring portion interacting with said container to automatically urge said outlet to said closed position.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said outlet is displaced a predetermined distance from said container when said outlet is in the open position, the length of said conduit portion being slightly longer than said predetermined distance,

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said predetermined distance is reduced when said outlet is in said closed position, said conduit portion including a collapsed portion when said outlet is in said closed position, said collapsed portion interrupting flow ofliquid through said conduit portion.

4v A dispenser for a liquid comprising a container and dispensing means, said container including an opening and said means including a spout and a resilient, flexible tube member, said tube member comprising a hollow conduit portion integrally formed with a spring portion extending from one end of the conduit portion. said conduit portion interconnecting said opening and said spout and forming a continuous passage for said liquid, said spout pivotably connected to said container and movable between an open position and a closed position, said spring portion attached to said container and automatically urges said spout to a closed position.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said tube member is made of an elastic-rubbery material and said spring portion comprises a loop portion of said tube member.

6. The device described in claim 5 wherein said spout includes a first and second end, said conduit portion connected to said first end, said first end being displaced a predetermined distance from said opening when said spout is in the open position, said conduit portion being slightly longer than said predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being reduced when said spout is rotated to said closed position, the said reduction of said predetermined distance causing said conduit portion to collapse in a portion, said collapsed portion preventing flow of liquid through said conduit portion. 

1. A dispenser for a liquid comprising a container and dispenser means, said means including an outlet, and a resilient tube member, said tube member comprising a hollow conduit portion integrally formed with a spring portion extending from one end of the conduit portion, said conduit portion interconnecting said container and said outlet and being a continuous passage for liquid from said container to said outlet, said outlet operably connected to said container and movable from a closed position to an open position, said spring portion interacting with said container to automatically urge said outlet to said closed position.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said outlet is displaced a predetermined distance from said container when said outlet is in the open position, the length of said conduit portion being slightly longer than said predetermined distance.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said predetermined distance is reduced when said outlet is in said closed position, said conduit portion including a collapsed portion when said outlet is in said closed position, said collapsed portion interrupting flow of liquid through said conduit portion.
 4. A dispenser for a liquid comprising a container and dispensing means, said container including an opening and said means including a spout and a resilient, flexible tube member, said tube member comprising a hollow conduit portion integrally formed with a spring portion extending from one end of the conduit portion, said conduit portion interconnecting said opening and said spout and forming a continuous passage for said liquid, said spout pivotably connected to said container and movable between an open position and a closed position, said spring portion attached to said container and automatically urges said spout to a closed position.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said tube member is made of an elastic-rubbery material and said spring portion comprises a loop portion of said tube member.
 6. The device described in claim 5 wherein said spout includes a first and second end, said conduit portion connected to said first end, said first end being displaced a predetermined distance from said opening when said spout is in the open position, said conduit portion being slightly longer than said predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being reduced wheN said spout is rotated to said closed position, the said reduction of said predetermined distance causing said conduit portion to collapse in a portion, said collapsed portion preventing flow of liquid through said conduit portion. 